Chapter image by the lovely Imbyul <3 Go PM her for a request

Immediate Future

He watched her retreating back with such sadness. It was the type of sadness that went beyond words and typical emotional ranges – the type of down associated with grieving. Part of him wished he could run after her, but he knew she had made up her mind.

It wasn’t because she didn’t love him, she said. The entire point of the farewell was because she loved him and that she no longer wanted to see him torn. She loved him so much, she just had to do it.

She said goodbye – for the second time around.

He expected tears to start running freely from his eyes. She made no promises that she would return, thinking that maybe, their thought of second chances wasn’t life’s or the deities’ definition of it. They did have a second chance, she said, but maybe not with each other.

Perhaps, with something else?

As she vanished from his sight, he couldn’t help but think of how wrong she was.

She was right when she said some things needed to be fixed in order to right the wrongs. She was right when she said there was a reason why everything happened. But she was wrong when she said that they probably had no place in each other’s lives.

In an instant, he heard a distant memory.

I came to realize that the opposite of loving is not hating, but leaving. I’m afraid you might think that I left you and that you left me. I yearn for you so much, but I can’t be near you.

--

(Present)

How fortunate it was that the ward was lonely and quiet; otherwise, people would’ve seen a shocked Hwang Jae-Yeong in the middle of a silent breakdown.

It turns out that he was Hwang Kwang-Soo’s biological child.

He clutched his chest as he tried to steady his breathing. Since the ground felt wobbly, he sat down on one of the white chairs. But sitting down didn’t feel right either, so he stood up immediately, holding his head. His brothers were probably out there somewhere, trying to process what they just learned – but the shock was nothing compared to his.

When asked to explain the results, the intern, who was shocked at their response (and clearly had no clue of who the Hwangs were), shakily explained that he took the liberty of including Jae-Yeong’s blood. Since the hospital kept a record of his vitals since his accident, the intern included his with his brothers.

Il-Sung and Tae-Won’s blood samples were not the ideal matches for their father; Jae-Yeong’s was. According to the intern, only biological children could donate and the latter was a perfect donor.

He was a biological son.

The surgery was scheduled in two days and Jae-Yeong, after going over the shock, immediately agreed. Anything he needed to help their father.

Once the intern left the three brothers alone, they were all speechless. Tae-Won clutched his phone tightly while Il-Sung stared at their father’s unconscious figure in disbelief. There were no words to be said. It was then Jae-Yeong excused himself and went out.

Now, here he was.

How? How on earth? How?

Since he was young, he was told that he was adopted. The story was the same: someone left him on his father’s doorstep a year before Hwang Kwang-Soo was to marry Jung Shin-Hye. At first, the maids of the house discussed to keep the child among themselves, but when his father saw him, he felt such compassion, which compelled him to take the kid as his own, despite being a single man. Later on, Jae-Yeong found out that his father did so too spite his own father for marrying him off out of his will.

Hwang Kwang-Soo told him about his adoption when he was seven and he seemed genuine with the confession.

But what secrets did his father hold now?

He was walking mindlessly, that he ended up bumping into someone.

“Ouch!”

“Oh my god, I’m sorry.”

Jae-Yeong was about to lash out unexpectedly when he saw young Lee Ji-Woo, profusely bowing his head in apology.

“Ji-Woo?”

The young barista lifted his head and gasped in surprise.

“Ah, Jae-Yeong hyung,” he said, bowing politely, “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.”

“No, I’m sorry. I was sort of spaced out,” replied the eldest Hwang, “What are you doing here?”

Ji-Woo pointed at the nurses’ station. “I was just visiting my mother,” he said, “Dropped her lunch off before going to school. How about you?”

“My father’s in confinement,” answered Jae-Yeong, “He’s up for surgery in two days.”

“Ahh, no wonder a lot of people are here. I heard that an important family was here; didn’t expect you,” said the dongsaeng.

Jae-Yeong stared at the young barista, clueless as to what to say next. Was he that blanked out that he couldn’t think of words? Ji-Woo looked as if he was expecting the hyung to say something in return.

“Oh…well, I guess you better go,” said Jae-Yeong, “I wouldn’t want you to be late for class.”

“Ah that’s right,” said Ji-Woo, holding his bag, “I’ll go ahead, hyung.” The dongsaeng bowed respectfully and ran past him, before stopping again. “By the way, my mother liked the flowers,” he called after, “Thanks for it again.”

Eventually, the dongsaeng left with Jae-Yeong watching. The sight of his 14^th brother’s incarnate made him realize something.

His life as Wang So made him no stranger to cases multiple wives and brothers. He suddenly wondered if his father got someone pregnant during his youth – a showgirl or something, because if it was out of love, why would he be left in front of a doorstep? Or his father might’ve found out he’d gotten a showgirl pregnant and chose to pay his dues by supposedly taking him in and making it look as if he is adopted?

As he headed towards his father’s room, he couldn’t shake off the idea that he might’ve been the son of a e.

His hands reached for the knob, when it turned itself and opened the door. A nurse went out and bumped him with a tray, causing the meds to fall.

“Ah, I’m sorry.”

“Oh god, I’m sorry.”

Jae-Yeong bent down to pick up the fallen bottles and pills, as well as the tray. When he stood up, he was in front of a familiar face.

The nurse also seemed like she knew him from before. Her eyes said she knew him. Jae-Yeong looked at her ID.

“Oh, hello there,” she greeted politely, “I see you’re doing well.”

Then, he remembered.

“Hello there too,” he greeted, bowing politely at the lovely-faced nurse named Lee Yoon-Ah, “Were you just checking my father?”

“Yes, I was just checking his vital signs,” she answered, “He’s still fast asleep. You can go in now.”

She was that nurses who tended to Ha-Jin and him during that time both of them got involved in an accident. He remembered waking up on the second day and seeing that nurse’s kind face, smiling at him, and helping him up for his daily medicine. Jae-Yeong remembered being so comforted by her gentle voice.

“Thank you,” he said, bowing again, “And thank you for that time you took care of me, as well.”

Nurse Yoon-Ah smiled. “It was a pleasure,” she said, “I’ll go ahead now.”

He nodded at the nurse who went her way. Jae-Yeong took a deep breath before going in, hopefully, to face his father. He knew his father was not in the best condition right now, but he needed answers.

“Jae-Yeongah,”

He suddenly stopped, realizing this was the first time he’d hear that voice.

Jae-Yeong, frozen on his spot, looked at the voice’s owner. On his left stood a worried Ha-Jin, hair sort of frazzled from running and eyes beseeching him. Her cheeks were blushing from the cold weather outside, despite the thick scarf she wore.

It’s been a week since he last saw her, but it seemed like years.

“Ha-Jinah,” he said.

Without another word, she ran straight into his arms, throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him in for a tight hug. The feeling of her fingers lacing the hair on his nape was so comforting, he pulled her closer and buried his nose in her hair, memorizing her scent.

“I missed you,” he said.

“You missed me but you don’t even bother to call,” she said, pulling away from him, “I was so worried.”

“I’m sorry,” he said, scratching his head, “I…there’s been a lot of things going on.”

“Like what?”

He wanted to tell her everything, but he realized that she still had no idea about his impending supposed marriage to Nari, his biological relation to his adoptive father, and all the business-related concerns.

He couldn’t say anything more. He just pulled her in again for a hug.

“Don’t let me go for now, okay?” he asked, “Just…I….need you here.”

He heard her laugh as she pulled him closer.

“I’m always here, idiot.”

--

“He’s awake.”

Tae-Won met Jae-Yeong at the hallway with the news. The latter had just seen Ha-Jin off, hailing a taxi to take her home. They had just spent three hours catching up (with Jae-Yeong leaving the adopted and marriage parts off) over cups of coffee. Usually, he would’ve stolen a kiss or two, but Jae-Yeong was so exhausted with the day’s events, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her the truth.

He just wanted to stare at her forever.

Now that he was going back, his youngest brother met him in the middle with news.

“How long has he been awake?” asked Jae-Yeong.

“Long enough for some questions.”

“Is it necessary? I mean…he’s pretty weak.”

“He seems up for it. Il-Sung hyung already told him about the results,” said Tae-Won, ushering his hyung back to the room.

“What?”

The youngest one shrugged as he opened to door, revealing a conscious Hwang Kwang-Soo and Il-Sung seated opposite him, arms crossed, and a serious expression on his face. Once Tae-Won and Jae-Yeong got in, the latter noticed how his father’s eyes immediately set on him.

“Jae-Yeong hyung’s here,” said Il-Sung in stern tones, “I think the explanations should begin.”

“Il-Sungah.”

“No, Jae-Yeong, he is right,” said their father, “There is something I need to tell you.”

The three brothers fell silent, awaiting Hwang Kwang-Soo’s side of the story.

“But first, I want Jae-Yeong to hear everything first.”

“Why? Are we not your children too?”

“Il-Sung hyung.”

Tae-Won got up at the same time Il-Sung stood up in frustration. Jae-Yeong could understand his dongsaeng’s sudden flare up. Il-Sung looked very much indignant; he wanted to know the truth as much as everyone else.

“Please, Il-Sung,” begged their father weakly, “I just need to tell Jae-Yeong first. Please. He needs to know some things.”

At first, Jae-Yeong thought Il-Sung would complain or barget at their father, knowing his fiery temper. But when the younger Hwang, with a frustrated sight, headed towards the door, he couldn’t help but feel relief. Tae-Won nodded apologetically at their father and Jae-Yeong before following his older brother out of the room.

Now, he was alone with his father.

It was only then Jae-Yeong realized how tired and sick his father looked. Hwang Kwang-Soo had always been the image of an iron fist who got things his way. But now, he was just an old man—a sick one at that.

“Son,” he began, “I…I know you have a lot of questions.”

The old man adjusted himself on his bed and invited his son to sit on the nearby chair, which he did. Upclose, his father looked more terrible.

“Let me start by assuring you of one thing: I too am surprised with the results,” admitted Kwang-Soo, “When I told you of your adoption, there was no lie in that. There was also no lie in the story of you being placed at my doorstep. All of those were real.”

“So how am I biologically related to you?” burst Jae-Yeong, unable to control himself, “Did you get some showgirl pregnant?”

His father stared at him.

“Showgirl?” he asked, “Is that who you think your mother is?”

“Why would I end up on a doorstep?”

“That I do not know,” said Kwang-Soo, “But please, hear my story out first.”

The elder cleared his throat.

“Your mother is not a showgirl or a e, that I assure you off,” he said, “Your mother was my first…love.”

Jae-Yeong was stumped. Before, his father never told of any woman before his marriage to his step-mother. Jae-Yeong knew that his grandfather set up the marriage and his father willingly went through, despite his hesitations. There was no story of eloping or their father complaining because of a girl.

“Before I married Shin-Hye, I was seeing someone from college. A bright girl, always at the top of her class,” he explained, “We met through mutual friends and before we knew it, we fell in love. It was probably the best three years of my life.”

“This girl, however, did not come for a privileged family. She always struggled to make ends meet and had to work two jobs to get through college. Using just her money, she managed to finish on top. I’ve never seen anyone wear their graduation robes so proudly like her,” continued his father, “She was the epitome of hardwork.”

There was a wistful look in his father’s eyes. It was hard not to miss. Jae-Yeong figured Kwang-Soo was picturing that woman’s face as he spoke. He had never seen that expression on his father’s face before – one filled with longing and love.

“Father has never been a big fan of our relationship; so when an offer for a business partnership with a big tycoon came, he took this as an opportunity,” continued Kwang-Soo, “Truth be told, we were in too much debt already and people were losing their jobs. I didn’t want to be the cause of their misery. I didn’t want to see myself happy when they weren’t.”

He looked at his son with sad eyes.

“I think you know what happened next,” he said.

Silence followed between father and son as the former allowed the latter to process what he just heard.

“That woman…she’s…my mother?”

Kwang-Soo nodded. “There is no other explanation,” he said, “Why would we share the same blood then?”

The elder Hwang sighed. “It just makes me wonder why she left you on my doorstep that night,” he remarked, “Or…whatever happened to her that would lead you to my doorstep.”

“Do you know where she is?” asked Jae-Yeong, “What’s her name?”

Before his father could answer, his brothers came back with a team of doctors and nurses. Tae-Won informed them that it was time for some preparation before the surgery tomorrow. Jae-Yeong, despite his eagerness for an answer.

The doctors came in to attend to their father, leaving Jae-Yeong hanging. His brothers looked at him expectantly, hoping for answers.

And he still had to prepare for the donation.

This was going to be a long night.

--

“Does it still hurt?”

“They just inserted a needle,” answered Jae-Yeong, “But yeah, it was painful.”

Ji-Hyun nodded as they perused books in his study. It had been two days since his father had his bone marrow surgery. His step-mother came back a day ago from the US and she immediately rushed to her husband’s side, clueless to the revelation they just had about Jae-Yeong’s parentage.

It was Il-Sung who decided no one should mention about it to their mother first. They didn’t know how she would react.

Today, it was Tae-Won’s job to take care of their father. The younger boys encouraged Jae-Yeong to spend time with Ji-Hyun first to recover and probably, let the issue cool down for a while.

Ever since he found out about the existence of his mother, dozens of thoughts flooded his mind. He wondered what her name was and where she lived. He also toyed with the possibility that she could be dead; otherwise, why would she let him be adopted by his own father? Could she not do it herself?

He wanted to look for her, but given his father’s condition, he knew it wasn’t the right time.

“Ji-Hyun,”

“Yes, Your Majesty?”

Ji-Hyun had developed the habit of calling Jae-Yeong “Your Majesty” as a form of affection or a joke. Jae-Yeong smiled as he closed another book.

“Why do you think I was born again?” he asked the presenter, “Why do you think everything seems so similar?”

“What do you mean?”

“I…I just can’t help but wonder. What’s the meaning of all of these?”

The presenter approached him. “Didn’t you say that this was your second chance?” he asked.

“Yes, but now that I think about it, I don’t know what the second chance is for,” confessed Jae-Yeong, “Is it for my family? With Ha-Jinah? Myself?”

“What is it about Wang So that I should correct as Jae-Yeong?” he continued, “What is it about myself that I…I have to do something about?”

There were so many unanswered questions in his life; it was fortunate that his mind still had the capacity to take everything in.

“Maybe you’ll have to reflect over everything again, Jae-Yeongah,” advised the presenter, “I’m sure you’ll find the answer. You always do.”

The presenter continued fixing his books while he poured some tea, leaving Jae-Yeong to his thoughts. He was too transfixed with the birds singing outside of Ji-Hyun’s window, envious of their peaceful melody. How he wished his second life was simpler: peace with his brothers, a successful business, and life with Ha-Jin.

He then remembered she was supposed to see him at the presenter’s house today. But she hasn’t texted.

It took him a while to realize that the car he had been staring at outside was a familiar one. His head had been too clouded with thoughts, he didn’t recognize Nari’s car.

“Ji-Hyunah,”

“Yes?”

“Is Nari here?”

The presenter looked confused. “What? No, she’s not here,” he said, “Why?” He stood by Jae-Yeong’s side, “Oh, you’re right. That is her car. But I don’t recall her saying she’d come over. How long has she been there?”

“I don’t know. I’ve been staring at it for thirty minutes already,” answered Jae-Yeong.

“Well, let’s see then,” said Ji-Hyun.

Together, Jae-Yeong and Ji-Hyun proceeded outside of his room to find out if Nari was outside. For some reason, an unpleasant churning began in his stomach.

They heard talking outside the front door.

Jae-Yeong opened it.

“…I guess he hasn’t told you.”

He was right, Nari was in front of the presenter’s house. She was standing meters away from the front door, arms crossed and had just finished talking. She was looking expectantly at Jae-Yeong, who was too frozen at the sight of Ha-Jin’s back in front of him.

Slowly, Ha-Jin faced him, her eyes big with shock.

Jae-Yeong looked down at her, his stomach churning unpleasantly, finally figuring out what Nari must’ve told her.

--

A/N: I just finished Goblin two days ago and man, I cannot contain my emotions. I just wanted to share that. If you’re a big fan of Sunny x Grim Reaper, please check out my fan fic of them here.

Thank you so much for the love you gave last chapter. I felt so warm and appreciated. Never forget how much I love you dear readers.

I realized that it’s been two months since I started writing this. That’s almost the same span as an actual drama! But I had so much fun uncovering what could’ve been the continuation of Wang So and Hae Soo’s love in modern time, that I forgot about the passing of time. I usually hate endings because they leave an empty hole in my heart, but that hole closes up and opens new adventures.

One thing’s for sure, I’ll miss writing this.